Category: Eagles

Saturday saw us welcome the Canadian touring teams of Denison Huskies U17 Girls and Boys teams to the sunny Morgan Pitches.

The Girls played as a collective of Tayside Girls with players from Perth Fife and Dundee all present. This is first time any kind of U17 Girls team has played a touring Canadian school in Dundee. The game was fast and the visitors managed to beat our Girls. The camaraderie was superb and both teams had huge smiles on their faces.

The U17 boys game followed straight after. Dundee Rugby boys played a well structured and flowing style of rugby against an extremely physical and fit Canadian side. The end result was 61-10with Dundee recording their best result of the year.

The visitors went down to the Mayfield clubhouse afterwards to enjoy some hospitality and their first experience of a Scotch pie!

On Sunday, Dundee Rugby hosted Montrose at S1 and S2 at Morgan Pitches. The S1s won their game and the S2’s were narrowly defeated in the last play of the game.

Dundee Rugby U16 then welcomed Mackie U16 to Alloway Place at 1pm for the Caley Bowl Semi Final. Both teams were evenly matched. The game was a nail biter that saw Mackie win by 3 points. Final score 24-27.

Across the weekend over 150 kids played rugby at our home grounds. Many thanks to the volunteers and players who made it possible!

Dundee U15s are now looking forward to the 29th when they face Perth U15 in the Caley Shield Finals at Madras Pitches in St Andrews. The teams have already met twice this season with a win each so it’s set up for the ultimate derby! Why not go and support the guys?

A committed coach at one of Scotland’s newest rugby clubs has been named BT Volunteer of the Month for his role in coaching and boosting participation of women and girls rugby.

Ben Dunn, who is also Chairman of Dundee Rugby, has played a central role in ensuring that girls rugby can flourish alongside a thriving boys programme.

His two sons both play at U18 level and now, thanks to developing his club’s girls team his daughter, 13, can play the sport she loves.

Teammates come from all over Tayside and Angus to join the sessions with Dundee providing an outlet for the growing demand for girls rugby in the region.

The girls team, which was founded a year ago, has grown to 22 squad members training twice a week. The club works with nearby teams, Howe of Fife and Angus, to offer U12 training sessions with a bigger pool of players.

Ben said: “It’s great to be presented with this award and very humbling. I’m honoured to accept it as an individual but really feel it’s recognition of all the volunteers involved at Dundee Rugby.

“My biggest hope is that this provides an opportunity to promote Dundee Rugby and all the parents and players who give their free time to make this club possible.

“The collaborative effort from clubs in Dundee and Angus, that create Dundee Rugby is vital to provide a real playing opportunity for boys and girls from U13 to U18 in our region.

“The future of Dundee Rugby is bright and it’s volunteers from every part of the rugby family in Dundee and Angus that ensure it’s a success. They make the difference to hundreds of local kids.”

Ben is ever-present at sessions and has put together a team of fundraisers to boost the young club’s finances.

He has recently undertaken a number of coaching courses and obtained his UKCC Level 2 qualification to make sure all the children involved get the best quality coaching they can as well as completing courses focusing on girls rugby.

On top of his coaching and fundraising efforts Ben has also taken steps to promote the club to the local community, producing posters and encouraging parents to get involved.

Josh Gabriel-Clarke, Dundee City Development Officer said: “Ben has made a significant contribution to the growth of youth rugby in Dundee through his hard work and commitment as Chairman of Dundee Rugby.

“The club provides extensive opportunities to boys and girls aged 12-18 in the local area to train and play in a fun, competitive environment.

Ben’s passion for the game and endeavour to ensure that all children and young people have the chance to play, regardless of experience and ability, are second to none. Well-deserved recognition for a good man.”

Dundee Rugby was founded to ensure that boys and girls from a number of the city’s clubs are given the chance to play regular rugby.

Coaches from Dundee Eagles, Dundee Wasps and Panmure Panthers collaborated to run sessions where over a hundred children could train and play.

Every winner of BT Club Volunteer of the Month is invited to BT Murrayfield, with nine friends, to attend the annual Scottish Rugby Club Awards Dinner.

At the Awards Dinner, each of the winners will be in with a chance to win the BT Club Volunteer of the Season award, which will be announced on the night.

The winner of the annual award will receive a £1,000 grant for their club.

Each season Edinburgh Rugby run a number of BLITZ events which consist of their full squad going out into the community and engaging with junior clubs through player appearances at youth and mini training sessions. Their next BLITZ event, on Wednesday the 14th March will see their squad spread across the Fife and Dundee region and Dundee Rugby have been selected to be a part of this day.

As well as having the opportunity to have a selection of the Edinburgh squad assist with our training session we will also receive a club commission discount form which can be used at Edinburgh’s following home game against Ulster the weekend of the 6th April.

We have been warned – the Edinburgh players will come ready to really get stuck in to assisting with a training session! These events can be a great way to spark a new love for the game amongst youngsters or consolidate a lifelong passion for the game by creating lasting memories, and here’s hoping as many as possible of our Dundee Rugby Juniors get a chance to take part with the Edinburgh stars

Dundee Rugby have succeeded in their goal to elevate the junior club to Tier 3 Status. This jump up the ladder means more teams playing over the different age grades, meaning more kids playing at a more competitive level.

This is the culmination of alot of Dundee Rugby’s volunteers’ hard work.

Colin Sangster

Dundee Rugby Development Officer and current Dundee HSFP head coach Colin Sangster had this to say; “Tier3 is what we have been working towards all season. It means better quality rugby and more of it with 5 teams playing under the Dundee Rugby banner next season. This will attract more players to the club as well as developing our existing players. It’s a great boost for junior rugby in the city! “

Dundee Rugby has produced some inspiring rugby players over the years, which includes several internationalist like Andy Nicol or Alasdair Dickinson (Dundee’s most capped player!) but the senior club has relied heavily on imports and students to make up the numbers in recent years.

Dicko, a product of Dundee Rugby

But the tide has turned, with of last years Eagles u18’s have committing to our club and have featured mainly in Dougie Gray’s Titans with aplomb.

This Saturday the green shoots of youth development blossomed, with an all time high of 9 former Eagles players in the starting line up for the 1st XV.

And although both results didn’t go our way, it bodes well for the club’s future, in sustaining the best level of rugby available in Tayside.

Of course, 9 former Eagles representing the club is testament to a lot of hard work put into the junior section since its introduction. There are so many volunteers that give up their time to coach and nurture these young players and the sense of pride in this achievement will surely be shared by these volunteers. You know who you are!

Let’s hope many more former Eagles progress to the senior teams!

Except Addie Wear, we’re not so sure your worth it………….

P.S In other news, an Eagles stalwart Keith R, provided the men with a xmas drink, gift wrapped for after the game. Good on yah Keith, very professional labeling too.

Do you want to be a Zebra, an officiator, a Referee? Maybe you are looking to help out with Eagles games on a Sunday or progress through the ranks. Either way you can’t do it without starting at the Level 1 Refereeing course. Click the Register Now button to get involved!

If you make it through the course people will call you Sir!, unless you are female, in which case that’s just weird and probably merits a yellow card! Come on ladies let’s get more female ref’s on the circuit too!

After a successful season, which saw the Eagles U18 tour Tenerife in February and culminating with a win in the final of the Caledonia U18 Plate 13-6 over Aberdeen Wanderers, Dundee Eagles u18 will be hosting a dinner at Mayfield on Friday 13th May 2016.

Caledonia Plate Winners 15/16

The always enjoyed Ian Cooke carvery will be on offer at the very reasonable price of £15 per skull, with the event kicking off at 7pm for a 7.30pm sit down.

Vegetarian options available (booo, hisss!)

There will be speeches from Coach Gary Mathieson, as well as the feared tour judge and senior head Coach Colin Sangster.

This promises to be an excellent night, with a well-stocked bar and excellent fare and questionable company.

So please come along and support this celebration of the end of the Eagles Journey for these u18 Players, their parents and supporters, and hopefully the beginning of their journey into senior rugby with DHSFP.

The definition of a ball: Attenders wear evening attire, which is specified on the invitation as black tie or white tie (the most formal). Social dance forms a large part of the evening; actual ballroom dancing may or may not occur.

Well the formal wear was respected on the whole (Brenton Bekker), no ballroom dancing, but some enthusiastic ceilidhing and lashings of Abba helped this to be one of the most memorable events in Dundee Rugby’s recent history.

Attended by well over 200 club men and women, there where representatives from Dundee Eagles, Players, Ex-players, Coaches, Committee, Club members, volunteers and local businessmen.

A great spread was put on by the Apex hotel with a lovely chicken dinner (no Callum Kerrs where harmed) and the wine flowed, it’s even rumored that JJ had a good time.

JJ Having a good time

The event no doubt was a great fund raiser for the club, but the main focus was a celebration of season 2015/16 and to reflect and honor the great and good.

The first two awards of the evening, Club supporter of the Year and Clubman of the year.

This year’s Supporters of the Year was a very popular choice – Suzanne & Jeff Kent- This was greeted with raptures and Jeff could be seen filling up the cup at various points throughout the evening.

Clubman of the year –

Shelagh (Centre) Clubman of the year

or in this case club woman, was awarded to Shelagh Allison – who has worked tirelessly, throughout the year including the weekly raffle on match days, but most noticeably organised and ran the hugely successful Terry Alison/Sarcoma UK Dinner.

This annual competition was collected by Ewan Fox, to the delight of the player’s table (stuck in the back corner as far away from the civilised members as possible).

The Terry Allison Award for Best New Comer – This was a hotly contested trophy this year with nominations for Patrick Hamilton, Neil Herron, Connor Wood and Ewan Fox. But this years award went to the Flyer from Leuchars, Matacagi Ice who’s try scoring performances have caught the eye of many at Mayfield.

Rab at the Apex?

Unfortunately, in his absence Ice was unable to come forward and collect his award. This duty was left to the always dependable Rab “the turk” Pullar. Who graciously received it on Ice’s behalf, always mindful of the occassion Rab took the trophy with class.

Most Improved player-

Man of the Night’s watch Connor Wood

Another tough decision for the playing committee with serious considerations in this years squad. Nominees included Duncan Lees, Rab Pullar, Stuart “Beezy” Barlow and Paul Ritch. However the award went to young Connor Wood who broke into the first team having arrived from Kirckaldy to attend Abertay University. Well done the Crow!

Considered by Rugby purists to be the highest honor, being nominated by your peers, this years award went to Gavin Hughan – who brings his personal awards tally to two this year. (If you can’t figure it out don’t worry).

Player of the Year –

Andy Dymock, player of year & Titans head coach Dougie Gray

This years award went to Andy Dymock, who was awake and able to make his way forward to collect his prize.

This event was marvelously run by Ken & Lynda McKay and their team (of who there are too many to name individually). And it was great to see so many people travel from around the country to attend. Special mention has to go to club legend Phil Wallace who was there all the way from OZ.

Club President Fraser Clarkson was pleased to bring to a close proceedings and the revelers dispersed into the Dundee Night. Good times had by all and lets hope we don’t have to waits so long for the next club dinner dance.

Meta

Dundee High School Former Pupils Rugby Football Club Limited are a limited company, trading as Dundee High Rugby.
Registered in Scotland. Company No. 578031. Registered Office: Mayfield Clubhouse, 193 Arbroath Road, Dundee DD4 7HS